Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Anna
I didn't go back to Ivan. Didn't return to teach Nadia either.
Gary's appearance had set off every alarm bell in my head. I started rebuilding my life, made sure to drop Alex off and pick him up from school every single day. On the surface, everything looked calm. Steady.
But I knew better. The wire inside me stayed taut. Never slacked.
I changed the locks. Started quietly looking into short-term rentals.
I was planning an escape—away from here, away from Ivan, away from Gary, away from every goddamn thing that tied me to the past.
Except...
Maybe I'd been too wound up lately, too paranoid. Because these past few days had gone too smoothly. Unnaturally smooth.
Like at the grocery store a few days back. I was stretching for a can on the top shelf when it slipped. The whole thing came tumbling down, straight at my head.
I squeezed my eyes shut, braced for impact.
Nothing.
When I opened them, some guy in a work uniform had caught it mid-air. He smiled, said, "Careful there, ma'am," handed it over, and walked away.
I'd chalked it up to luck.
This morning, Alex told me he wanted the blueberry muffins from that old bakery downtown.
He said they only made a limited number every day, and they would be sold out if we went too late.
I complained to him that we probably wouldn't be able to get any today.
But when I took the bus there, there was actually one last box sitting alone on the shelf, as if it had been waiting there just for me to come and take it.
One weird thing after another.
Was God finally throwing me a bone after all the shit I'd been through?
On the walk back with Alex, I felt eyes on my back.
But when I looked back, the street was filled with people rushing by, none of them paying any attention to me. Cars moved through the busy roads, and everything around me was perfectly, unbearably normal.
Too normal.
I was being paranoid. I had to be.
I stared at myself in the mirror. "Relax. Keep this up, and you'll lose it before Gary even makes his move."
I pressed my fingers to my forehead, willing myself to stay calm.
The doorbell rang.
I dried my hands and looked through the peephole.
Chris.
He stood outside holding a bouquet of white roses, his other hand jammed in his suit pocket. He looked stiff. Not his usual easygoing self.
What was going on? He should be at work right now.
I opened the door.
"Chris? What are you doing here?"
Chris stared at me. His throat bobbed. He didn't come in right away, just pushed the roses toward me. "Anna, can I come in? I need to talk to you."
The seriousness in his eyes made my chest tighten.
I stepped aside. "Come in."
Chris walked in, his gaze sweeping the living room before landing back on me.
He took a deep breath. Like he'd made some major decision.
"Anna," he said, his voice heavy with weight, "I'm transferring to the San Francisco headquarters next week. The order came down last week."
I froze.
A strange emptiness opened in my chest.
Chris had been my only friend these past five years. He'd helped me so much, watched Alex grow up. He was part of our lives now. And suddenly he was leaving. It hurt.
I held the roses close, forced a smile. "That's so sudden."
Chris sat on the edge of the couch, leaning forward slightly, eyes locked on my face.
"I didn't tell you sooner because I was afraid if I did, I wouldn't be able to leave."
My heart skipped.
I knew what was coming.
He pulled a velvet box from his pocket. Opened it. Inside, a simple diamond ring.
Small. But bright.
"Anna, I've liked you for a long time. Since the first day you came to the school. I know raising Alex alone hasn't been easy. I'll take care of you. I'll take care of him. Will you marry me?"
The air went still.
I stood there, water from the roses dripping onto the floor, spreading into a dark stain.
I didn't know what to say. I was more shocked than anything.
Chris had always been a sweet friend. But I also knew, clear as day—I didn't love him.
"Chris, I..."
I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. A flat-out rejection felt too cruel, especially right before he left. But I couldn't lie to him either.
Chris saw my struggle. His face fell a little.
"It's okay. You don't have to answer now. I just... I didn't want to leave with regrets. Even if you turn me down, at least I'll know I tried."
I looked at him, my throat tight.
"Chris, you're a wonderful friend. You're going to have a great future."
I said it.
I looked down. I could feel his disappointment, but love couldn't be a consolation prize. Leading him on with false hope—that would've been the real cruelty.
"Hey. Look at me."
Chris's voice was lighter than I expected. No bitterness. No pain.
I looked up. His eyes were steady, even a little relieved.
"Getting to know you, being your friend all this time—I'm already happy."
He stood with his back to the door, light framing his shoulders. "I'm leaving tomorrow. As my good friend, you're buying me dinner, right?"
Seeing him try so hard to act casual made my nose sting. I smiled and nodded. "Of course. What do you want? I've got steak and shrimp at home. I'll make you something."
Chris grinned, his eyes crinkling the way I remembered. "Then I won't hold back. I've been craving your black pepper steak forever. Nothing in any restaurant compares."
I put the roses in a glass vase in the living room, then headed into the kitchen.
Chris tried to follow and help, but I shooed him out. "You're the guest. Sit and watch TV. I'll be quick."
The range hood hummed low. I tied on my apron and started searing the steak. Oil sizzled and popped in the pan, the smell filling the air.
Chris sat on the couch, chatting with me now and then. It felt easy. Like all those other weekends.
I chopped broccoli, my mind wandering.
If I'd never met Ivan. If I'd never been dragged through all that mess—maybe I really would've said yes.
Chris was gentle. Stable. A life with someone like him was probably the best ending Alex and I could hope for.
I cooked two thick steaks and made a side salad.
At dinner, we didn't bring up the proposal again. We talked about school stories, Alex's performance on the soccer field, San Francisco's weather, his future plans.
Chris knew how to keep the mood light. The whole meal felt easy. Comfortable. Like any other hangout between friends.
After dinner, Chris insisted on helping clean up.
He rolled up his sleeves and stood at the sink, scrubbing plates with focused care. His back looked warm. Solid.
"Anna," he said, drying the last dish and turning to face me, "take care of yourself after I leave. If you run into trouble, call me. I'll quit my job and come back if I have to."
I smiled. "Don't talk like that. What kind of trouble would I run into?"
He smiled back and grabbed his jacket from the chair. "I should go. My flight's tomorrow morning. Still need to pack."
I walked him to the door. He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"Anna. I hope you find peace. Happiness."
"Safe travels, Chris. I hope everything goes well for you."
He let go. Stepped into the elevator.
Goodbye, my best friend.